The Bromfield girls varsity lacrosse team wrapped up its season in an intense game against Norwell High School on Friday, May 31. The final 20-4 loss brings Bromfield’s record to a close at 4-15 and Norwood’s to 11-10. Despite the score, this game caps the season with the promise of a bright future for the Harvard lacrosse program.
Bromfield came out of the gate fighting for the draw, winning five of nine draw controls in the first quarter. As the game wore on, however, the Trojans lost energy and were overtaken by Norwell’s many substitutes. Bromfield had one sub for the first half, none in the second half, and played a man down for the last few minutes after one of their players fouled out of the game.
Ultimately, Bromfield coach Ali Wicks said, their 15 turnovers and trouble controlling ground balls (four of 22) hurt them the most. Even then, Bromfield pressured Norwell offensively, with senior captains Savannah Kulieses and Kristin Podgorni each scoring two unassisted goals.
That said, Bromfield entered the field less concerned with the scoreboard. “We discussed that the outcome matters less than the effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship,” said Wicks. “I think when you boil the game down to those things, we were successful.”
In addition to this success, the Trojans prided themselves on their defense, which had struggled earlier in the season. They excelled in the third quarter, limiting Norwell to three goals against Bromfield’s two.
Wicks said the entire team grew tremendously over the season, which began with a small roster of inexperienced players. Goalies, junior Charlotte Churchill and sophomore Darragh O’Connor, particularly, gained experience, running their defense “with poise and positivity,” said Wicks.
The team is also indebted to its three senior captains, Kulieses, Podgorni, and Cavanna Aldrich, who graduate this year having left a “lasting impact” on the team. “I am going to miss our seniors so immensely,” said Wicks. “They have been instrumental in inspiring every athlete coming behind them.”
Though Bromfield’s official season is now over, several players will be joining a town pickup league on Thursday nights. Lacrosse youth director Peter Kelly-Joseph has also put together a program to keep younger players engaged with the sport.
“The players coming up are talented, hard-working, and excited for the next step,” said Wicks. Though next year’s team will be even younger than this year’s, with Churchill as the only senior, it appears they have a bright future.
Olivia Muller-Juez is a Bromfield senior.
